In keeping with Halcyon Yarn’s effort to renew and expand our commitment to sustainability and the environment, we’ve been searching for a yarn that incorporates recycled fiber.  Believe it our not, it’s not been easy.  ”Patience is a virtue” we kept reminding ourselves.  We knew it was just a matter of time before we found someone in the yarn industry that had the desire to produce a quality yarn using recycled fiber.  Finally!…  Halcyon Yarn is pleased to announce the addition of K1C2 2nd Time Cotton  from another great Maine Company, K1C2.

K1C2 2nd Time Cotton

2nd Time Cotton is a blend of 75% recycled cotton derived from unused materials from the textile and garment industry and 25% acrylic.  What a terrific way to repurpose.  This 8-ply worsted weight cotton blend is perfect for spring and summer garments.  The colors have a great tweedy effect that is created by the fiber mix and by blending small bits of colors into the main color before spinning.  We’d also like to mention it is made in the USA reducing its carbon footprint and providing US jobs.

We knit and washed some samples. Here’s what we found.  The yarn softens  after washing creating a garment with that “old favorite” appeal.  Although its recommended gauge is 4.25 stitches per inch on a size 8 needle, most of us here at the shop prefer a fabric knit at 4.5-5 stitches per inch on a size 6-7 needle.  The label suggests machine washing with cold water and laying flat to dry.  Despite K1C2′s recommendation we wanted to give the dryer a try partly because we prefer the softer hand that develops. We dried our samples in the dryer with the only effect being a 12% -15% shrinkage in length. Be sure to take into account the final care of your garment  when calculating your gauge and knitting your sweater.

Leah Top Seed Stitch Yoke Cardie Double Tee

So how about a few pattern recommendations.  First, we added 3 new patterns from K1C2 that have been designed specifically for 2nd Time Cotton,  Leah Top ,  Seed Stitch Yoke Cardie and  Double Tee . We’re knitting the Seed Stitch Yoke Cardie for the shop and plan on putting only two buttons at the top. We’ll show you ours when complete.  We also searched our current pattern library for additional patterns you might like.

For those of you who knit for babies or toddlers, try using 2nd Time Cotton in  Fruit Caps for Kids ,  Cardigan With Hat or Baby Neck Down Hooded Tunic by Knitting Pure and Simple .   Roll Neck Raglan Sweater and  Fisherlad Guernsey are two classic, versatile patterns that include sizing for babies through adults.

Fruit Caps for Kids Cardigan With Hat Baby Neck Down Hooded Tunic by Knitting Pure and Simple Roll Neck Raglan Sweater Fisherlad Guernsey

Fairhope Open Cardigan Basic Chic Pulli

Want a stylish, everyday sweater knit with 2nd Time Cotton? Look no further than Fairhope Open Cardigan  and  Basic Chic Pulli .  These are just a few suggestions. What ideas do you have? And share your finished projects with us when you’re done. Perhaps we can share them with other customers too!

Just a reminder that Halcyon Yarn’s spring 2012 classes are posted on our website and include classes running through the first part of June. You’ll find classes in weaving, knitting, spinning, crochet, dyeing, spinning and rug making.  We’ve tried to offer something for everyone, however if there’s a topic of interest you don’t see or timing just doesn’t work, remember Halcyon Yarn will create individual or group classes at your convenience. It’s easy and affordable. Simply call 1-800-341-0282 and ask to speak with Jane.

Keep watching for a couple of exciting special event “classes” that are in the planning stages. This summer we’ll be welcoming back international felter Martien van Zuilen plus we will be hosting our own “Fiber ME” tour (yes – this is a word play on our great state of Maine’s postal designation as well as on the pronoun). The tour will include tours of spinning mills, fiber studios, fiber schools, lighthouse and river tours, sustainable agriculture hotspots, plus lobster and a lot more.

For those of you in our local area of Bath, Maine we’d also like to mention that in addition to our wide range of classes, Halcyon Yarn offers weekly opportunities to enjoy good company while you knit, crochet, spin and weave. Each is free of charge and meets in our classroom on the 3rd floor.  If you aren’t close enough to stop by connect with the Halcyon Yarn community on Facebook and Ravelry.

Evening Spin Share with Denice Sharpe, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm the 1st Thursday of each month. Bring your wheel and enjoy spinning, exchanging new ideas and learning with old friends and new.

The Tuesday Twisted Spinners meet in our classroom every Tuesday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Bring your wheel, some fiber, and lunch. There is no charge, no reservation needed, and all levels of spinning skills are welcome!

Monday nights, Halcyon Yarn hosts a Sit ‘n Knit Group which meets from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and knitters of all experience level are welcome! It’s an informal, relaxing evening with no reservations needed, and no charge.

Weave Share with Michael Patterson runs March through December on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Bring your ideas and  questions, or just join us for a monthly chat about weaving. A great place to share your latest project, get tips from Michael and others, and share some good company with other weavers.

Halcyon Yarn also hosts other fiber group meetings. If your group is looking for a meeting place, we have a large classroom with kitchen facilities available. Please call 800.341.0282 for more information.

Who knew recycled sawdust could be so beautiful, not to mention fun and functional. Take a look… and then another look… at this new line of recycled sawdust shawl pins by designer Gina Hatcher.  You’ll be amazed.  Each design is created by inlaying dyed recycled sawdust into stainless wire forms.  Acrylic overlay is then applied giving  a glossy finish.  No matter what your taste there’s a style for everyone, from whimsical and funky to sophisticated and stylish.  Match your shawl pin to your mood, sweater or wrap and wait for the compliments.  It’s worth mentioning, these pins are very light weight so they won’t drag or sag on your garment. They’re even light enough to be worn on a lace stole.

Don’t worry if you fall in love with a design, but don’t have anything on which to pin it.   Victorian Boucle Stole and  Victorian Boucle Crochet Stole , made with  Victorian Bouclé , can be created in a weekend!

Victorian Boucle Stole Victorian Boucle Crochet Stole Victorian Bouclé

Recycled Sawdust Fish Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Fish Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Triangle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Triangle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Small Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Large Triangle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Large Triangle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Large Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Large Circle Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Heart Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Heart Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Heart Shawl Pin

Recycled Sawdust Heart Shawl Pin

New Years is often a time to stop and reflect on the past and look forward to the future. 2011 is past and 2012 is here already. For Halcyon Yarn 2011 marked our 40th “Ruby” Anniversary. WOW! – what a milestone, one that never would have happened without the 40 years of continued support and loyalty of our customers. So here’s a  heartfelt THANK YOU for that.  Plus a huge thank you to all of you who participated in making our 40th Anniversary such a memorable celebration. Special events like our Anniversary Homecoming Picnic this summer, as well as the many limited edition Ruby products and patterns in honor of our 40th anniversary, have created memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to the next 40 years in which we hope to continue bringing you the best products and services in the fiber community.

As we embark on 2012, you’ll notice a “green” theme. Halcyon Yarn has always been committed to being a socially and environmentally responsible business in everything we do. To us “Green” is a larger concept including a lot more than “reduce, reuse, recycle”.  In the coming year we will be connecting you to lots of ways to join us in this effort.

We look forward to an enriching partnership, sharing what we’ve done, and what we are envisioning, asking what you’re doing, and sharing your ideas with the Halcyon Yarn Community. Together, we’ll celebrate all our efforts to be “greener” than ever. Stay tuned to hear more every month.

The bookshelves at Halcyon Yarn are continually changing. We’re always on the lookout for newly released titles, as well as not so well known titles that our customers might appreciate. Here’s a list of our latest additions.

Weaving

Shadow Weave-Handwoven e-Book Printed Copy in Print

Handwoven E-Books are a great source for fascinating weaving patterns and Shadow Weave-Handwoven e-Book Printed Copy in Print is no exception.

Weft-Faced Pattern Weaves Tabby to Taqueté is a comprehensive guide to weft-faced pattern weaves for all weavers, beginning weavers to experienced. Author, Nancy Hoskins has been renowned in weaving circles for decades and now her knowledge can be yours.

Weft-Faced Pattern Weaves Tabby to Taqueté

Spinning

Calling all adventurous spinners. Spin Art is a comprehensive guide to creating the most fun and innovative yarns imaginable. Who’d have thought you can, and should, “do this at home” ?

Spin Art

Knitting

Noro books are always highly coveted and Knit Noro Accessories - 30 Colorful Little Knits is no exception. It’s a definite “must  add”  for  your collection.

Knit Noro Accessories - 30 Colorful Little Knits

Coastal Knits

Coastal Knits is a new ‘shop favorite’. It’s a wonderful collection of stylish knits inspired by our country’s opposite coastlines.

Unravel the mystery of fair isle knitting with Mary Jane Mucklestone’s  200 Fair Isle Motifs without wanting to unravel your knitting.

200 Fair Isle Motifs

60 Quick Knits - 20 Hats 20 Scarves 20 Mittens in Cascade 220 60 More Quick Knits Cascade 220 Superwash

If you loved 60 Quick Knits - 20 Hats 20 Scarves 20 Mittens in Cascade 220 , you’ll love  60 More Quick Knits . It’s a great collection of patterns for winter accessories, from hats, scarves and cowls to wrist warmers, mittens and gloves. All feature Cascade 220 Superwash .

The Knitter's Book of Socks is the yarn lover’s ultimate guide to creating socks that fit well, feel great, and last a lifetime.

The Knitter's Book of Socks

Norwegian Mittens and Gloves Victorian 2-Ply Wool

29 classic traditional Norwegian designs fill the pages of Norwegian Mittens and Gloves . Our very traditional Victorian 2-Ply Wool  is designed with the look and feel of Scandinavian knitting and weaving in mind so will be perfect for lots of the projects.

Support and celebrate US yarn companies and their homegrown yarns with Knit Local . Includes 28 company profiles, over 30 patterns, a list of fiber events across the country and many inspirational photos.

Knit Local

Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks

Add a stretchy new twist to your sock knitting with Knitting Brioche-Stitch Socks . The technique creates so much give that it allows the socks to be knit in a tube sock style, thus eliminating the need for heel shaping.

Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters is a perfectly sized knitter’s reference book filled with helpful tips and tricks. It’s even small enough to fit in an accessory bag.

Pocket Posh Tips for Knitters

Knitted Dinosaurs

The cutest dinosaurs you ever did see fill the pages of Knitted Dinosaurs . Customize your prehistoric pals with fun and funky colors. Great projects for using up small bits of yarn.

Nancy Bush has updated her popular original book and now has up-to-date yarn substitutions, new sock knitting information and a section on Estonian inspired socks in  Folk Socks - The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear .

Folk Socks - The History and Techniques of Handknitted Footwear

Textured Stitches

Designer Connie Chang Chinchio presents 20 new classic, flattering knitwear designs in Textured Stitches . Each design, from sweaters to accessories, combines simple knitting with textural stitches that enhance each design.

Lopi’s latest addition,   Lopi Volume 29 , is a fantastic collection of patterns that range from traditional to modern. Includes interesting new patterns, plus some non-traditional Icelandic designs for both children and adults.

Lopi Volume 29

Definitely – “Not your Mother’s Lopi Book.

Crochet

Seamless Crochet

Modular construction is a revolutionary idea in crochet. Learn this new technique in  Seamless Crochet . The book includes a helpful DVD explaining the details of her new crochet technique.

Simply Crochet is a collection of 22 stylish and cleverly designed projects from shrugs and vests to baby sweaters and afghans.

Simply Crochet

Crocheted Softies

18 adorable animals from around the world grace the pages of Crocheted Softies . If you don’t crochet, you’ll definitely want to learn!

A big thank you to all who participated in Halcyon Yarn’s 2011 end of year 40 Day Advent Calendar Countdown. We hope you had fun, found some bargains and were able to take advantage of the special savings we offered in the final days of the year. It was a great way to cap off Halcyon Yarn’s 40th year in business, our Ruby Anniversary. As previously announced, we held a drawing for our Grand Prizes and would like to send out our congratulations to the following winners…

Pat N. of Peaks Island, ME and Amanda T. of Rocky River, OH each won a Yarn Store In A Box ® with binder and sleeves.

Catherine J. of Riverside, RI and Elizabeth M. of  Rock Hill, SC each won our Long Reach Ruby Anniversary Project Bag.

Ginger K. of Morrison, CO and Holly K. of Brentwood, NH each won a set of four travel mugs and a Ruby Anniversary Eco Project Bag.

Jan S. of New Canaan, CT, Judy V. of Mechanicsville, VA and Marianne W. of Santa Rosa, CA each won a Ruby Anniversary Eco Project Bag filled with a $50 Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate and a package of signature patterns.

Molly D. of White River Junction, VT won a $150 Halcyon Yarn Gift Certificate.

Congratulations to all our winners this year. Thank you all again for joining in the fun!

All of us at Halcyon Yarn would like to take the time to send our heartfelt wishes for a wonderful, yet relaxing, holiday.  In the coming days there will be fun to be had with all kinds of celebrations.  Enjoy this time of year, but don’t forget to slow down and take pleasure in the simply joys this season. Those who remember their mythology may know that we are in the midst of winter’s Halcyon Days, a period of calm. Enjoy the company of family and good friends.  Relish time – time to read, time to cook, time to sit down at your loom, time to knit and felt. Have fun creating!

Christmas is less than a week away. Here’s an update on shipping and delivery for all of you who are just now finding the right present (we know that none of us are procrastinators).  In order to receive your package in time for Christmas you MUST request rush shipping.  This insures your package will receive the utmost attention and everything possible will be done to get your package to you within the designated time.  While we’ll do all that we can to speed things along, please be aware this is not a guaranteed service due to mother nature and the high volume of packages, both of which can create unexpected and nasty delays.

As we mentioned last week, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-341-0282 to place your order. When you speak with us directly we can verify stock and confirm details with you.

Maine has long been known for its many independent artisans and the quality of their craftsmanship.  Halcyon Yarn supports these artisans by carrying locally Maine made products whenever possible.  So when we were approached by the folks from Union Pottery, just up the coast in Union Maine, about carrying their line of whimsical sheep stoneware products, we couldn’t resist.  We think you’ll agree they are 100% fun.

Whimsical Sheep Pottery Mug

Whimsical Sheep Pottery Mug

Whimsical Small Round Pottery Box

Whimsical Small Round Pottery Box

Whimsical Pottery Yarn Bowl

Whimsical Pottery Yarn Bowl

Whimsical Small Pottery Needle Crock

Whimsical Small Pottery Needle Crock

Whimsical Large Pottery Needle Crock

Whimsical Large Pottery Needle Crock

Whimsical Pottery 8" Clock

Whimsical Pottery 8" Clock